IBEW Local 98 — Philadelphia, PA: Application Dates & Pay
Everything you need to get into IBEW Local 98: whether applications are open right now, what the apprenticeship pays, how the process works, and a free alert the moment the next window opens.
Application status
Window scheduledApplications are closed right now — applications for the Inside (Wireman) program are taken annually during the first two full weeks of April; next window expected April 2027 (April 2026 window has passed)..
Applications are handled by Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry (ATEI).
Official application page ↗Status last verified August 6, 2026. Source: official JATC/local site. Windows can change on short notice — always confirm details with the JATC before making plans.
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IBEW Local 98 pay scale
The journeyman inside wireman rate is $70.97/hr (2025 contract data), and the total package — wage plus health, pension, and annuity contributions — is about $117.10/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman rate that steps up as they progress.
| Apprentice step | % of journeyman | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | 45% | $31.94 |
| Period 2 | 50% | $35.48 |
| Period 3 | 55% | $39.03 |
| Period 4 | 65% | $46.13 |
| Period 5 | 75% | $53.23 |
| Period 6 | 85% | $60.32 |
| Journeyman | 100% | $70.97 |
Local 98 doesn't publish its apprentice percentage steps — the table shows typical IBEW steps applied to the local's journeyman rate. Rates move with each collective bargaining agreement; confirm current figures with the local before relying on them.
What to know before you apply
In-person only at ATEI, 1719 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130; no online applications. $40 processing fee by money order only (no cash/checks). Requirements: 18+, HS diploma/GED or higher, documented algebra, official transcripts; must score 5 on the electrical industry aptitude test (Electrical Training Alliance/AIR). Contact: (215) 567-6405, mneill@ibew98.org. Exact 2027 dates not yet posted; ATEI has occasionally run off-cycle windows (e.g., a Sept-Oct 2020 special window).
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The applicants who get in prepped early. 500+ NJATC-format practice questions, timed tests, and an AI mock interview — free to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does IBEW Local 98 in Philadelphia accept apprenticeship applications?
As of August 6, 2026: Applications are closed right now — applications for the Inside (Wireman) program are taken annually during the first two full weeks of April; next window expected April 2027 (April 2026 window has passed).. Application schedules are set by the JATC and can change on short notice — always confirm on the JATC's own site before making plans.
How much does IBEW Local 98 pay?
The journeyman inside wireman rate for IBEW Local 98 is $70.97/hr (2025 contract data), with a total wage-plus-benefits package around $117.10/hr. Apprentices earn a percentage of that rate, typically starting near 45% and stepping up each period.
How do I apply to IBEW Local 98?
Applications go through Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry (ATEI). The usual process: submit the application with your HS diploma or GED, transcripts showing algebra, and ID; take the aptitude test; then complete a scored interview that sets your rank on the eligibility list.
What test does IBEW Local 98 use?
Most IBEW inside-wireman programs use the Electrical Training Alliance aptitude test (algebra & functions plus reading comprehension); a growing number use the broader GAN battery. Either way, your test score plus interview decide your ranking — prep before the window opens.
Related Resources
More IBEW locals near Philadelphia
Michael Briglio
IBEW Local 134 Journeyman · Licensed Contractor · IL Educator
Michael started in the IBEW at 18 and made foreman as a 3rd-year apprentice. Thirteen years in, he’s a Local 134 journeyman, a licensed electrical contractor, a licensed Illinois teacher, and OSHA 30 and EPA 608 certified. He teaches a federally recognized pre-apprenticeship on the south side of Chicago — where he’s helped 100+ students get into the IBEW. He built Sparky AI around exactly what the NJATC exam tests and what trips people up. Prep with this and you walk in ready.
Facts on this page trace to primary sources or first-hand IBEW Local 134 experience — see sources & methodology.